Shoes

ABSTRACT

SHOES HAVING THE UPPERS THEREOF SHAPED OF AN IMITATION LEATHER FORMED OF A SYNTHETIC RESIN, THE OUTER SURFACE OF WHICH IS COVERED BY AND ADHERED TO THE PREVIOUSLY PRINTED SURFACE OF A TRANSPARENT OR SEMI-TRANSPARENT FILM OF SYNTHETIC RESIN FOR PREVENTING DISCOLOURATION OF PRINTED LAYER OF SYNTHETIC RESIN FILM.

March l9-, 1971 MAsAo HARA E'I'M l sHoEs '2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1.4, lense FIG.3

March 9, 1971 r MASA HARA ETAL 3,568,339

. SHOES med Nov. 1 4. 1968 2 sheets- Sheet a l FIQQ my BY -avsmmzm 'W-wcm! Tww Arraave United States Patent Oliioe Patented Mar. 9, 1971 3,568,339 SHOES Masao Hara, Tokyo, and Eiji Yabuki, Buhei Mahide, and Hideaki Yoshida, Tochigi-ken, Japan, assignors to Harold Fleming trustee, Dallas, Tex.

Filed Nov. 14, 1968, Ser. No. 775,736

Claims priority, application Japan, Nov. 18, 1967,

42/96,804; Apr. 4, 1968, 43/26,396; June 7, 1968,

Int. Cl. A4311 1/10, 23/00 U.S. Cl. 36-2.5 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Shoes having the uppers thereof shaped of an imitation leather formed of a synthetic resin, the outer surface of which is covered by and adhered to the previously printed surface of a transparent or semi-transparent film of synthetic resin for preventing discolouration of printed layer of synthetic resin film.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel shoe construction having the upper shaped with material which is coated with a layer of an appropriate synthetic resin.

Hitherto known shoes have been used which have been printed directly on the outer surface of the upper material thereof in order to provide a successful design on the shoe upper insteps as a decorative accessory. There is such a drawback, however, caused by the above-mentioned conventional printed product that when the uppers of the shoes are -made of such material as mentioned above, the printed surface thereof is on the outer surface of the upper material, so that the decorative printed pattern on the surface of the upper deteriorates and its colourful pattern fades influenced by direct exposure to the air or sometimes the printed surface is apt to be peeled olf from the upper material by accidentally rubbing against an obstacle while the shoes are to be worn on the road with the result that the novel design is damaged.

It is an object of the present inveniton to eliminate the foregoing drawback caused by conventional shoes having the upper made of a material printed on the outer surface as well as to provide a novel shoe having its upper made of a material coated with a layer of an appropriate synthetic resin on its outer surface, particularly a novel shoe having its upper shaped of a material such as an imitation leather formed of a synthetic resin, the outer surface of which is adhered to the previously printed surface of a transparent or semi-transparent film of synthetic resin Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel shoe having the upper material coated on its outer surface with a layer of synthetic resin with the layer treated to prevent discolouration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel shoes of extremely beautiful appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the foregoing objectives of the present inventions are comprehensive, the specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in order that the invention may be better understood along with further objects and advantages thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross sectional views of the shoe illustrating the heel portion of the lirst embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a shoe disclosing a second embodiment showing compound layers forming the shoe;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shoe illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross sectional views of the shoe in FIG. 5 showing the compound layers forming the shoe;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross sectional views of a shoe illustrating a forth embodiment of the invention showing the compound layers forming the shoe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The 1st embodiment Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a shoe having the upper shaped from a material such as an imitation leather composed of an interior lining cloth covered on its outer surface with a layer of synthetic resin 2, the outer surface of which is adhered to a transparent film 4 of synthetic resin which has been previously printed on its inner surface.

Since the shoes produced according to the foregoing embodiment are constituted in the manner set forth in the aforementioned description, the desirable pattern printed on the rear or inner surface of the transparent synthetic resin film 4 is clearly seen through the exterior surface affording a distinctive design as if it were printed directly on the outer surface of the imitation leather material which forms the uppers of the shoes, and multiple layers of the imitation leather made of synthetic resin are laminated on the printed surface to avoid direct exposure of the printed surface on the outer surface of the shoe resulting in such advantages as long endurance for washing, freedom of discolouration, deterioration or stain of itself, the prevention of peeling from the imitation leather layer, and, moreover, affording quick drying when the shoes are washed.

In case a semi-transparent synthetic resin lilm is used as the outer layer for the uppers of the shoes in place of a transparent lfilm, the preferred pattern printed on the rearward or inner surface of semi-transparent ilm will be seen faintly through the film layer and proves successful in the design of shoes for disclosing elegance and charm. Moreover, in case, an optional pattern 5 is previously printed on the external variegated surface of the transparent or semi-transparent iilm of synthetic resin, it will provide the shoes with a specic appearance due to the co-operation of the pattern 5 on the external variegated surface with the printed pattern on the rearward or inner surface of the lilm which is agreeable to the touch on the uneven variegated external surface of the uppers The 2nd embodiment As shown in FIG, 4, it will be observed that the shoes having the uppers formed of a material 21 such as cloth or an imitation leather of synthetic resin coated with a synthetic resin layer 22 on the outer surface thereof, are constructed so that the material 21 is provided with a heel reinforcing material composed of an interior lining cloth 23 coated with a reinforcing rubber layer 24 on its surface, and between the layer of rubber 24 and the upper material 21 there is interposed a separating layer 25 of synthetic resin film, coating paper, coating cloth, fine paper or metal foil and the like, the layer 25 is impermeable to rubber chemicals, such as mainly sulphur or stimulating agent for vulcanization or aging preventive, combined with the rubber layer 24.

In this embodiment, it is preferable to use as the separating layer 25 a synthetic resin film made of polyethylene resin or polypropylene resin, coating paper, coating cloth, the layer 25 is adapted to be interposed between the heel reinforcing rubber layer 24 and material 21 for the uppers, in case the synthetic resin layer 22 coated on the material 21 is formed of polyvinyl chloride resin, since the above-mentioned polyethylene resin or polypropylene resin has no permeability against rubber chemicals combined with the heel reinforcing rubber layer 24.

The shoes in the 2nd embodiment are provided with the above-stated construction of the uppers wherein, between the heel reinforcing rubber layer 24 and the upper material 21 there is interposed the separating layer 25 composed of synthetic resin film, coating paper, coating cloth, fine paper and metal foil or the like, the layer 25 has no permeability against or is impermeable to rubber chemicals, such as mainly sulphur, stimulating agent for vulcanization and aging preventive, combined with said rubber layer 24, so that the synthetic resin layer 22 will not react with the rubber chemicals, and avoids any discolouration of the printed pattern which will maintain its durable beautiful appearance.

Accordingly, an optional material for the uppers composed of cloth or an imitation leather of synthetic resin is a coloured synthetic resin layer having a colour tone of high luminosity, such as white and yellow, provided as the outer layer and surface of the upper, the coloured synthetic resin layer will not discolour because of the interposition of the separating layer.

Furthermore, Where the transparent or semi-transparent film of synthetic resin is adhered to the upper material as the outer surface thereof for protecting the preferred pattern in the upper material to provide a successful printed design for shoes, or where the transparent or semi-transparent film of synthetic resin is printed with the pattern on the surface adhered to the upper material the transparent film of synthetic resin will not discolour, so that the printed pattern 26 as a decorative shoe design will be seen from the exterior through th., transparent or semi-transparent film of synthetic resin so that the effective design is displayed Without any hindrance, In addition, the shoes shown in this embodiment are constructed in such a manner that the separating layer 25 is fixed to the heel portion for providing a reinforcing effect.

The 3rd embodiment In FIGS. -7, it can be observed that the upper of the shoe is constituted so that the upper material 35 is made of an imitation leather of synthetic resin comprising the interior lining cloth 31 coated on its outer surface with a synthetic resin 32 to which a transparent or semitransparent lm 34 of synthetic resin is adhered on the outer surface and the surface of the film 34 in contact with the synthetic resin layer 32 is printed with a desired pattern 33. Along the lower edge of the upper a yrbottom leather sole 36I is folded upward and is superposed over the upper material 35. A narrow tape 37 is aixed along the outer surface of the edge portion of the sole 37 and has the same printed pattern .33 as well as the same makeup of the upper material 35.

In this 3rd embodiment of the shoe the composition of the upper material 35 and the bordering tape 37 are the same, each having the identical printed pattern on its surface, moreover, these material display at the outersurfaces the design pattern 33, 33 printed on the rear or inner surface of the external transparent or semitransparent films 34, 34 of synthetic resin and display the coincident patterns printed on the upper material 35 and the bordering tape 37, respectively.

It will be preferable to make the bottom leather sole wider or higher along its edge or border than the corresponding dimension of the bordering tape and to be of a different colour from that of the tape so as to leave a very narrow longitudinal spacing 38 of the prole or edge of the sole exposed along both edges of the tape, so that the distinction between the upper material 35 and the bordering tape 37 will be apparent as if lined by the narrow borders 38, .38 of the different colour of the profile of the sole whereby the uniformity of printed pattern 33, 33' of the upper material 35 and the bordering tape 37 will be distinguished for the sake of decorative appearance.

As the printed patterns 33, 33', respectively, are located interposed between the imitation leather of synthetic resin and the film of synthetic resin to avoid direct exposure on the outer surface of the shoe, it will withstand frequent washings and further will be protected from discolouration or peeling from the upper material and therefore has the advantages of easy washing and quick drying after washing.

In this embodiment, the outer film 34, 34 of synthetic resin is available either as a transparent or semi-transparent material as well as being colourless or coloured. In case the film 34, 34 has a dappled surface 39, it will provide the shoe with a specific appearance produced by means of the dappled surface in co-operation with the printed pattern on the reverse surface of the film .34, 34' and the unique external surface can provide a surface agreeable to the touch through a dappled embossed pattern.

The 4th embodiment In FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper of the shoe is composed of an upper material 45 made of an imitation leather of synthetic resin and comprises the interior lining cloth 41 coated on its outer surface with the imitation leather synthetic resin 42 and a transparent or semi-transparent film 44 of synthetic resin is adhered to the synthetic resin 42 at its surface which is printed with a predetermined pattern 43. A rubber tape 47 is positioned over and adhered to the lower edge of the upper material 45 and the profile or edge of a bottom leather sole 46, the outer surface of the rubber tape 47 is partly covered by and adhered to a bordering tape 48 which has a predetermined printed pattern 43 and a composition. identical with the upper material 45.

Since in the product shown in this embodiment the upper material 45 and the bordering tape 48 are identical with each other iu the printed pattern and in material composition and each of them displays the design pattern (re), 43 is printed on the inner surface of the transparent or semi-transparent film 44, 44 of synthetic resin and is seen through the film 44, 44 whereby the upper material 45 and the bordering tape 48 prove successful in identity of design with each other resulting in remarkable eect in uniformity of printed pattern.

In addition to the identical pattern of the upper material I45 with the bordering tape 48 which adheres to the rubber tape 47 which has a different colour from and a broader width than the bordering tape 48 for providing a generating further successful effect in the uniform design. The rubber tape 47 has narrow exposed surfaces 49, 49 along its upper and lower edges affording distinction between the upper material 45 and the bordering tape 48 lined by the narrow surfaces 49, 49" of different colour from the tape 48, such distinction results in a further increase in the uniform effect between the upper material 45 and the bordering tape 48. The printed pattern 43, 43 is interposed between the imitation leather of synthetic resin and the film of synthetic resin to prevent its direct exposure to the outside air, so that fading and peeling after long Wearing or frequent washing is avoided and the interposition of the printed pattern 43, 43' results in easy washing and quick drying after washlng.

According to the present invention, the synthetic resin lm can be either transparent or semi-transparent as well as either colourless or coloured.

In addition, the film 44, 44' can be formed with a dappled and embossed pattern 40 on its outer surface providing the shoe with a unique appearance due to the embossed pattern 40 in cooperation with the printed pattern on the rear or inner surface of the film 44, and 44 and the'upper material which has its outer surface formed in the embossed pattern is agreeable to the touch.

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe comprised of a sole and an upper secured to said sole, wherein the improvement comprises said upper is formed of an imitation leather synthetic resin layer which has an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, a lm of synthetic resin is adhered to the outwardly facing surface of said imitation leather layer, said film has an inwardly facing surface adhered to said imitation leather layer and an outwardly facing surface forming the outer surface of said upper, said inwardly facing surface of said film has a printed design can be seen through the film against said imitation least sufficiently transparent so that the printed design can be seen through the film against said limitation leather layer, a cloth layer afiixed to the inwardly facing surface of said imitation leather layer, a heel reinforcing element affixed to the inwardly facing surface of said cloth layer, said heel reinforcing element comprises a rubber reinforcing layer, and a separating layer positioned between said rubber reinforcing layer and the inwardly facing surface of said cloth layer, said separating layer formed of a material impermeable to rubber chemicals contained in said rubber reinforcing layer and ararnged to prevent the rubber chemicals in said rubber reinforcing layer from passing outwardly into said imitation leather layer and synthetic resin film.

2. A shoe, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said separating layer is formed of a film of synthetic resin made from a polyethylene resin or a polypropylene resin.

3. A shoe, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said film of synthetic resin forming the exterior surface of said upper is made of a polyvinyl chloride resin.

4. A shoe, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sole has an edge portion extending about its periphery which projects upwardly about and outwardly from the lower edge of said upper, the inner surface of said edge portion of said sole is in contact with the outwardly facing surface of said upper, a tape extending about and axed to the outwardly facing surface of said edge portion, said tape comprises an imitation leather synthetic resin layer similar to said imitation leather synthetic resin layer of said upper, and a film of synthetic resin is adhered to the outwardly facing surface of said imitation leather layer of said tape, said film has an inwardly facing surface adhered to said imitation leather layer and an outwardly facing surface forming the outer surface of said tape, said inwardly facing surface of said film has a printed design thereon similar to the printed design in said film of said upper and the material forming said film is at least sufiiciently transparent so that the printed design can be seen through said film on said tape in the same manner as it can lbe seen through said film on said upper.

5. A shoe, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a rubber band extends around the peripheral edge of said sole and extends upwardly therefrom covering the joint between said sole and said upper so that said rubber band spans the joint, a border tape disposed in contact with the outwardly facing surface of said rubber band, said border tape comprises an imitation leather synthetic resin layer which has an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, and a film of synthetic resin is adhered to the outwardly facing surface of said imitation leather layer, said film has an inwardly facing surface adhered to said imitation leather layer and an outwardly facing surface forming the outer surface of said border tape, said inwardly facing surface of said film has a printed design thereon similar to the printed design on the inwardly facing surface of said film on said upper and the material forming said film is at least sufficiently transparent so that the printed design can be seen through said film from the exterior surface of said border tape.

6. A shoe, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said rubber band having a height greater than the height of said border tape and said border tape positioned on said rubber band so that its edges are spaced inwardly from the edges of said rubber band and a narrow strip of said rubber band is visible between the upper edge of said border tape and the adjacent surface of said upper.

7. A shoe, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outwardly facing surface of said film of synthetic resin has an irregularly patterned surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,423,143 7/ 1947 Gottschalk 3 6-7.3X 2,798,312 7/1957 Muller 362.5 '2,982,033 5/ 1961 Bingham 36-415X 3,319,360 5/1967 Nadler 36-7.3X

PATRICK D. LAWSON, `Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

